Krokodil – Skin Destroying Killer Drug With Russian Beginnings

Krokodil drug has been referred to as “the worst” drug out there. Its use has spread rapidly throughout Russia for the past ten years. It has now made its way into the U.S.’s drug culture. Research concerning Russian addicts states that people who regularly inject krokodil can expect to live about two years following the onset of their addiction. In some areas of Russia, nearly half of all drug addicts are addicted to krokodil.

Krokodil Description

Medically referred to as desomorphine, krokodil is injected into veins to produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation similar to heroin. However, krokodil is four times cheaper and much easier to make than traditional heroin. Krokodil means “crocodile” in Russian, aptly named because of greenish-black, scaly areas erupting on the skin from using Krokodil. To make it, addicts often such lethal and highly dangerous ingredients as;

codeine

paint thinner

gasoline

hydrochloric acid

iodine

red phosphorous

Cooked but not purified, injected krokodil contains numerous toxins that remain after it is heated. These are in addition to the already poisonous ingredients originally used to make it.

Krokodil Drug Facts

A krokodil high lasts about two hours and affects brain neurochemistry in the same manner that traditional opiates do, by releasing huge amounts of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine into the brain. Addiction occurs when the brain starts to crave the a krokodil high. The excessive amounts of these neurotransmitters allow the drug to flood the brain.

In 2011, foreign and domestic law enforcement seized nearly 70 million doses of krokodil before they reached the street.

Heroin addiction rates in Russia are much higher than rates in the US. This is due to Russians having easy access to the raw material needed to make heroin i.e. the poppy plant and codeine. Sold as a nonprescription, over-the-counter medication in Russia, codeine is regularly used as pain reducer and cough suppressant.

The physical affects of krokodil are worse than the psychological and cognitive effects. krokodil users may inject it into their flesh instead of a vein. Because personal hygiene habits of all substance abusers are less than optimal, infection typically occurs at the site of these rough injections. This practice can develop of serious abscesses that eat away at the skin and underlying tissues.

Krokodil Drug Withdrawal

Symptoms of krokodil withdrawal are incredibly more painful than symptoms of heroin withdrawal, which is the primary reason why krokodil users do not care if their flesh decays and turns gangrenous. Withdrawal from krokodil can take a month or more and requires the use of strong tranquilizers to prevent users from passing out. This is due to severe stomach cramping, nausea, aching joints and migraines.

Physicians caring for krokodil addicts who try to stop using say that a krokodil addiction is absolutely the most difficult addiction to cure. Health consequences of the drug may be permanent. They may involve speech impediments, shakiness, cognitive issues and a host of other physical and psychological problems. These could leave the person disabled for life. If you know someone who may be experimenting with krokodil or is even thinking of using krokodil as a cheap alternative to heroin, get help immediately to stop them.

Robert M. has been in recovery since 1988. He is a sponsor and loyal member of AA. He has been working in the drug and alcohol field for nearly 20 years. During that time, he has written industry blogs and articles for a variety of industry websites including Transitions, Malibu Horizons, Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches and Lifeskills of Boca Raton.

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